I am NOT making this up

Jesus said it, I didn’t.

It seems that some people think that if a 12 year old girl is forced at the point of a gun to sell her body on the street, we should see her as a victim, not a criminal. It seems that others think we should toss her in jail, to scare her away from doing it again. (Because, you know, the problem with 12 year olds who have been repeatedly raped is that they aren’t afraid enough.)

The opposition to the bill is largely made up of conservative “Christian” groups, who see this a step towards moral decay. I’m pretty sure that any definition of “moral health” that excludes helping children is not one Jesus would want.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Deadwyler, said that she, and those who don’t support the bill, believes that arrest is a better deterrent than a proposal for rehabilitation – no matter the age. “Sure there are those who are forced into prostitution, but I think most of them volunteer,” Deadwyler said of under 16-year-old prostitutes. “Many, many children have been scared straight because of arrest.”

“The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'”

Is this SB 304? I follow this legislation as a Christian support it so not every Christan is agaist it. This is from Street Grace in Atlanta:
What does the SB 304 substitute language do? It does not open the prostitution criminal code section. Rather, it defines an alternative way to connect child victims of commercial sexual exploitation with much-needed restorative services through juvenile court, and recognizes the child’s status as a victim of sexual exploitation. This new language will ensure child victims are admitted into the statewide system of care, while preserving the child’s eligibility for victim compensation funds.
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You can also help support S.B. 304 by taking a moment to ask members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to support the Committee Substitute to S.B. 304 and bring it up for a vote soon! Please find attached a form letter you can use along with a list of the Senator’s mailing addresses. It is better to send snail mail because it will be noticed more than an email. Please DO NOT fax your letters!

Also we need to thank Senator Renee Unterman for her willingness to stand up for children who have been victims of sex trafficking. Please see below for her contact information.

PS everyone else reading (all both of you) please note the info Karen shared. The bill has gone through some revisions, but it still is a step forward for these children. Additionally, the revisions have appeased those who thought the bill would not allow police to intervene (it would have, but that’s another post) so this thing is closer than ever to getting passed.